Indiana Wesleyan University Jesus and the Cross Above All Discussion Getting Started Colossians 1:15-20 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the

Indiana Wesleyan University Jesus and the Cross Above All Discussion Getting Started

Colossians 1:15-20

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Philipians 2:5-11

6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 5: 11-13

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

Resources
Bible

Background Information

We live in a world that increasingly wants everything to be equal. Whatever someone’s view of the truth is we may be told, should be seen as equal and as valid as anyone elses so no one feels judged or less than anyone in any way. The only problem is that if everyone’s “truth” is equal, it is no longer truth. In the name of what some see as justice and tolerance, the idea of truth is sacrificed in spite of the reality that justice requires truth and tolerance alone does not solve issues of sin. Grace does. Truth by very definition excludes other things from being correct. We can all have an opinion or perspectives, but for something to be true it must exist outside of us and represent reality and it will continue to be true even if we don’t believe it or want it to be.

This is the message of Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). He also said, “…. the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37). Clearly, Jesus believed in truth that existed outside of people’s opinions and even claimed to be the source of it.

Moreso, the Bible says that all things were created through Jesus (Colossians 1:15-16), that he is supreme over all things (Colossians 1:18), that his name is above all other names (including all people, politicians and prophets), (Philippians 2:9), that one day every person will acknowledge that he is Lord (Phillipians 2:10) and that all angels and people who are saved will worship him (Revelation 5:11-12). Indeed, the Bible is abundantly clear that truth comes from Jesus and that he is to be followed and worshipped as supreme with God the Father.

The message of truth being real and that one way or person is correct and above other ways or beliefs is increasingly unpopular and even offensive to many (even though all religions and ideologies claim to have exclusive truth). This is in fact why Jesus was crucified. The Pharisees and religious leaders of his day were offended and refused to accept that what he was saying was true and had him killed him to try and prevent the truth from being told. It is no different today and Jesus said that those who follow him and proclaim his truth will also face persecution (Matthew 5:12).

The message of Christianity is the truth of the cross and of who Jesus is. It offends many because it calls us to face our sin and unwillingness to have somone other than ourselves define the truth about ourselves and our condition. We want to be our own master instead of surrendering to the true King. But Jesus is either who he claimed to be or he is not. And if he is Lord, creator and God as the Bible claims and His resurrection confirms, then our choices are limited; submit to the truth or find a way to avoid it, at least for now. May the message of the cross draw you to the beautiful, saving and freeing truth of Christ and be your message of hope to a lost and struggling world of which you will never be ashamed.

Old Rugged Cross
© George Bennard, 1913

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

Instructions
Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
Read the words of the hymn out loud, reflecting and using it as a prayer as you consider its meaning and message.
Respond to the following questions by posting your answers in the discussion.
What do you think about Jesus declaring that he is the truth and that those who follow actual truth listen to him? How do you think this would be received today if Jesus said the same thing in your community, neighborhood or workplace?
Christians believe that Jesus is King and Lord and that His ideas are not just better than other ideas, but true and right and good. What does this mean for you as a Christian social worker and how you will assess ideas and theories you encounter in your practice in light of truth?
What concerns do you have about the possibility of conflicts between your beliefs about truth and practicing as a social worker? Explain.
Knowing that Jesus, truth, and the message of the cross is resisted or even despised at times by the world, what makes it worth it to you to follow him, even if it might lead to confict, loss or persecution?